USB-C Docking, Charging, etc.

[chazzy2501]

New budget coming up and I'm looking at the HP ProBook 440 G6 laptops for Teachers. The main feature I'm looking for in the laptop though is a single cable solution for the classroom.

 

We're currently tied to the old school HP docks which have been very successful, plonk and go is working well. Unfortunately that has lead us to an upgrade dead end.

 

The promise of USB-C docks that can offer all the ports a classroom setup could require AND charge any laptop using a single universal cable has to be the way forward.

 

USB-C isn't easy to decipher, I've been looking at reconditioned laptops with these features but some are very cagey about what their USB-C port can do. Some may but with only their own dock

 

Some of the midrange Dells appear to offer it from the last 2 years but as a secret?! You have to find the dock and see if the laptop is on the list!

 

With Gen1 Gen2 Thunderbolt 1,2&3 and DisplayPort passthrough, I couldn't say for certain what a USB-C port will do until I try them for myself.

 

Is anyone running a USB-C single cable solution?

[DalekSec]

We're running HP ProBooks, 430s G5 and G6. The USB-C docking station we use is this one: https://www.startech.com/uk/Cards-Adapters/Laptop-docking-stations/usb-c-laptop-dock~MST30C2DPPD

 

Most have 2 displays coming off (1920x1080) and power etc., so user only has the 1 cable to plug in.

 

Had a couple issues when started, mainly with monitors flashing black a lot, seemed to be solved with a graphics driver update

Edited February 14, 2020 by DalekSec

[HTCPCP]

We have it for some of our staff, and is being rolled out to staff when laptops are being replaced (not edu).

 

Word of warning reagarding the probook 440 though - my experience of them is far from a happy one - a lot of flex, and not the reliability I would expect from HP. Bought a couple last year as they were the only ones we could get in the time frame needed, and both have had issues with parts and drivers (most notibly the wi-fi).

 

The latitude 3301 works with our startech docks, but annoyingly doesn't have a network socket, and very limited IO on the device itself (1 USB A, 1 USB C, 1 HDMI, 1 Sim, 1 audio and 1 charger).

 

I think Dell are quite dubious about shouting about USB C, as from experience not all docks are made equally. Talk to your Dell account manager and they should be able to help (or look at the WD19 dock and see which devices it has been designed for.

[psydii]

A good rule of thumb is if the dock has DisplayPort out then it will be compatible with the widest range of devices.

 

I've had Chromebook, consumer laptops, ThinkPad's and MacBook/pros connected to our USB-C docks and they all just worked.

Two words of caution:

 

The power output needs to support the biggest common machine. Our only output 60W so a 15" MBP running at full tilt would drain its battery faster than the dock could supply charge.

The USB-C Cable needs to support PD up to the wattage of the dock, and also DisplayPort (and HDMI). 1M seems to be the maximum length of cable that can support this combination of features.

[Norphy]

USB C compatibility between vendors is a real ****show. Seriously, it's awful. Not to mention it's pretty damned hard to decipher just what exactly a USB C port is actually capable of.

 

With Dell, the WD15 and TB16 docks could be used with laptops from other manufacturers but frequent, they wouldn't charge them because Dell used some kind of propitiatory mojo for that. The HP laptops that we've got which can charge from USB C are extremely fussy about what they charge from; they wouldn't even charge from plain power adapters from other manufacturers.

 

At the moment, two of our schools have got Dell laptops and docking stations. They work well when they work but their cables are somewhat delicate, especially the TB16 with the minuscule Thunderbolt cable.

 

The last thing I'd say is try to avoid docks which use DisplayLink chipsets (Such as the Dell D3100) if you can. Yes, they work but they don't work as well as docks which act as DisplayPort MST hubs. The DisplayLink docks that I've tried struggle to drive 1080p monitors and chew up CPU time on the laptops.

[mavhc]

Just got some 440 G6s today, did notice more symbols around the usb-c port, but not looked into it yet.

 

Looks like Power in/out, and displayport alternate mode.

 

Can't see an easy way to view VDM logs to see what a device/cable/port supports (usb-c cables have processors in, madness)

 

Also usb-c chargers https://forrestheller.com/Apollo-11-Computer-vs-USB-C-chargers.html

[chazzy2501]

Just got some 440 G6s today, did notice more symbols around the usb-c port, but not looked into it yet.

 

Looks like Power in/out, and displayport alternate mode.

 

Can't see an easy way to view VDM logs to see what a device/cable/port supports (usb-c cables have processors in, madness)

 

Also usb-c chargers https://forrestheller.com/Apollo-11-Computer-vs-USB-C-chargers.html

 

How much you pay for them, what spec?

[mavhc]

HP K12 PB440G6 i3-8145U 14 4GB/128 PC £475 ex vat before £100 trade in.

[StoneGroup_JackW]

Hi @mavhc, who did you get these devices from? thanks!

[mavhc]

https://systemactive.co.uk/

[chazzy2501]

ok, for those who are still shopping and navigating USB-C what you are looking for is probably USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode v2...which will also have the new PD3.0 which is being updated inline with USB4.0

 

Ok, that's a gob full but here is a useful database of certified laptops! (I've ordered the HP 440 G7's in the end for £40 more than the G6) I also have the HP USB-C G5 Dock)

 

https://www.displayport.org/product-category/computing/

 

EDIT: URL mistake.

[MatthewL]

We've done away with docks as such, we use monitors with them built in and can charge. They are Lenovo ThinkVision P24H-10 can link the two monitors together, plug keyboard, mouse in etc and then just the one cable to the laptop.

[psydii]

Those are really great monitors. We've been rolling them out to SLT and all admin staff for a couple of years. A lot of them went home with people the week before lockdown.

 

Will be rolling out docks to all classrooms ahead of re-opening. Likely we'll have a member of the team on site for the week of half term to get that job done.

 

I learned a lot from the displayport.org site - if you are not in a hurry and have questions that are not adequately answered elsewhere they even respond to emails (well, after 6 weeks!).